Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

Old Man

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 1, 2004
Messages
30
I have a 1986 Johnson 150 VRO,it has been a hard starter since i got her 3 years ago but this season she will not kick over for at least 10 min of cranking, when i tilt the engine up fuel leaks out of the carbs (about a soda caps worth) I changed all the fuel lines inside the engine compartment and the primer bulb will stay hard during this cranking time.after it gets started i would run it for an hour,anchor and fish for an hour and the same thing happens even tho i didnt tilt the motor!our season is short here and id like the least time consuming repair possible,any clues to what i can do?
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

Check fuel pump pressure and I bet you have some crud in one or more of the carbs.
 

Old Man

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 1, 2004
Messages
30
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

so basicly i should pull the boat out and bring it home,remove carbs,clean internal parts,replace fuel pump to be sure.Is that a good start?
 

Walker

Captain
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
3,085
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

SoLittle is right on. Or you could wait til you burn up your starter and then fix everything.
 

jy118lfd

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 18, 2004
Messages
497
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

This motor has a primer choke system. You can try to turn the little red lever on the starboard side towards the rear and pump the bulb then turn the lever back and crank her up if it starts then you have a primer choke issue. Get a factory manual and it will explain it better. I feel if it runs ok after it is warm then you have a cold enrichment problem and the primer system is like a choke on older motors
 

Old Man

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 1, 2004
Messages
30
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

Helpful post <br />I did a search in past posts and found a helpful one,Checkout Dhadley's reply concerning a starting procedure.<br />Well, i did it and i got it started in 3 tries!!gonna try it every day at least twice a day for a week and see if its consistant.<br />If it works i still will rebuild carbs.<br />Thanks all,I will post a reply with results.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

Remember that the "hold the key in for a 7 or 8 count" procedure only works if the primer bulb is firm. The primer solenoid is a valve, not a pump so some system pressure is required for this to work. The primer solenoid can be checked by disconnecting one of the primer hoses at the carb, then turning the key ON (not start) and pushing it in to see if fuel is expelled. If so, its working. If not its either plugged or in need of replacement.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Hard starting..at least 10 mins of cranking!

The key has to be pushed in when the mtr is CRANKING. This lets fuel from the vro through the primer to the mtr. Read the instructions in the owners manual.
 
Top